DC Water Critical
Customer Briefing and
Roundtable Discussion
Sponsored by U.S. EPA Region III
Facilitated by the Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Agenda
9:00 – 9:30
Check-in & Networking
9:30 – 9:45
Welcome & Introductions
9:45 – 10:30
Presentations
10:30 -10:45
Break & Networking
10:45 – 11:30 Presentations
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch & Networking
12:30 -1:30
Roundtable Discussion
1:30 - 1:45
Break/Networking
1:45 - 3:00
Roundtable Discussion
3:00 - 3:30
Next Steps/Closing
Remarks
Administration/Logistics
 Check-in
 Breaks
 Cell phones
 Restrooms
 Emergency procedures
 Roundtable material
 Questions/concerns
 Introductions
Presentations
Drinking Water Source & Treatment Process – Thomas
Jacobus, Washington Aqueduct
Water Distribution & Sewer Collection Systems – Jason
Hughes, DC Water
Sewer Treatment – Aklile Tesfaye, DC Water
Water Quality & Cross Connection Control – Pierre
Constant & Jessica Edwards-Brandt, DC Water
Water Operations & Repair – David Wall & Marlee
Franzen
Emergency Preparedness & Response – Jonathan
Reeves & Geneva Green
Washington Aqueduct
Presentation to
DC Water Critical Customers
February 6, 2015
Safe – Reliable – Cost Effective
Owned and Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
5
Water Supply & Major Facilities
You are
here
6
Water Treatment Process
(Conventional Treatment)
7
Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant
Treats between 100-160 million gallons per day
8
Georgetown Sedimentation Basins
9
McMillan Water Treatment Plant
Treats between 60 - 120 Million gallons per day
10
What could cause a disruption or
limitation in service?

Improper treatment


Operator Error
Component malfunction

Electrical power interruption

Hostile external act against system infrastructure

Contaminated source water (i.e., Potomac River)

Extended severe drought
11
Washington Aqueduct
Baltimore District
US Army Corps of Engineers
12
Water Distribution and
Sewer Collection Systems
Critical Customers
Jason Hughes
Director of Utilities Services - Water
Water Distribution System
Water Distribution System
•
•
•
•
Total Coliform Rule
Lead and Copper Rule
Disinfection By-Product Rule
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule (UCMR3)
Sewer Collection System
•
•
•
•
Total Coliform Rule
Lead and Copper Rule
Disinfection By-Product Rule
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule (UCMR3)
DC Water Clean Rivers
“A Drop’s Life”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ug1hravb9Q
Sewer Treatment
Critical Customers
Aklile Tesfaye
Director of Wastewater Treatment
Providing Essential Services
Potomac River
Water treatment
Blue Plains Regional
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wastewater Collection System
Distribution System
Sanitary Sewage
Stormwater Runoff
Blue Plains Advance Wastewater Treatment Plant
Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater
Treatment Plant
February 6, 2015
Capacity: 370 MGD Average Annual Flow
891 MGD Peak Flow
19
Blue Plains Service Area
DC Water’s Advanced
Wastewater Treatment Plant
at Blue Plains is the largest of
its kind in the World
Blue Plains AWT provides
wastewater treatment services
to 2.1 million people in the
District of Columbia and the
surrounding counties in
Maryland and Virginia
Services both combined &
separate sewer system
Wastewater Treatment
• Regulated by EPA
with STRINGENT
permit requirements
• Excellent history of
treatment
performance
• Uses physical,
chemical, and
biological treatment
processes, including
innovative green
technology
• O&M staff ~ 270
• Direct O&M cost~
$1,100/MGD
21
DC Water Pretreatment Program
Purpose:
• To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the collection system or at
the wastewater treatment that may: (a) Impact public & employee health
and safety, wastewater treatment O&M (b) Cause pass-through pollutants
and result in adverse environmental impact, and (c.) Violate water quality
and biosolids standards and NPDES permit requirements
Permits:
• Significant Industrial User, Non-Significant Industrial User, Temporary
Discharge Authorization, Waste Hauler Permit
Report A Problem:
To report spills and unusual discharge observations, call (202) 612-3400 –
24 hours
Information of the Pretreatment Program:
Call the Pretreatment Program Manager at 202-787-4177 with general
questions or email to Elaine.wilson@dcwater.com
BREAK
23
Drinking Water Quality
Monitoring
Critical Customers
Jessica Edwards-Brandt
Manager of Water Quality
Water Quality Monitoring
Regulated Programs
•
•
•
•
Total Coliform Rule
Lead and Copper Rule
Disinfection By-Product Rule
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule (UCMR3)
Water Quality Monitoring
Non-Regulated Programs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Customer Complaint Investigations
Routine Monitoring at Schools and Daycares
Water Security Monitoring – Online Monitoring
Water Quality Problem Area Investigations
Lead Pipe Loop Research
Lead Sampling and Profiles
Nitrification
Tests Following Main Breaks
Cross-Connection Control
Before and During the Next Event
Critical Customers
Pierre Constant
Supervisor of Cross Connection & LSLR Programs
Outline
• Key terms
• Some facts about the Cross-Connection Control program
• How to prepare for a water contamination event (ccc
perspective)
• What do you do if there is an internal water
contamination event
• What do you do if DC Water issues an advisory in your
area
Key terms
• Cross-connection-Any actual or potential connection
between the drinking water system and a source of
contamination or pollution.
• Backflow- The reverse flow of water or other liquids,
mixtures, or substances into the drinking water system.
• Backflow Preventers-mechanical devices or assemblies
which prevent the reverse flow of water or other liquids,
mixtures, or substances into the drinking water system
Facts of the
Cross-Connection Control Program
• Some Facts
– Primary responsibility for the administrating and enforcing
all cross-connection control regulations in DC
– Responds to about 6 water quality investigations per year
– Completes about 400 inspections per year
– Collects and processes about 4000 inspection reports per
year
– Tracks about 7000 backflow preventers at 2,600 different
sites
•
DC Water Cross Connection Control Program
202-364-3143
crossconnections@dcwater.com
http://www.dcwater.com/cc/default.cfm
How to prepare for a
water contamination event (part 1)
1. Identify your cross-connections and assess the potential hazards
Look for water connections to boilers, chillers, pools,
softeners……..
2. Compile and review safety data sheets to assess hazards
Look at all chemicals both those used for water treatment and
used for everyday functions
How to prepare for a
water contamination event (part 2)
3. Determine if the appropriate backflow preventer is installed
Refer to DC Plumbing Code and licensed plumbers
4. Inspect, test and tag your backflow prevention assemblies
 DC Regulations require annual testing and report submittal to
DC water
5. Determine how to isolate water service to each cross-connection
Reduced Pressure Backflow
Prevention assembly
What do you do if there is an internal
water contamination event
– Isolate the contaminate and/or system
– Instruct your occupants to “do not use” the water
– Contact DC Water 202-612-3400
How does DC Water investigate an
internal water contamination event
– Take water samples
– Inspect cross-connections, backflow
preventers and water source systems
– Review safety data sheets
– Ask questions
What do you do if DC Water issues
an advisory in your area
•
•
•
Communicate the advisory to your occupants
Assess the need to isolate water to sensitive equipment and
systems
– e.g. dialysis water treatment units, sinks in surgical areas……..
Assess your water needs and make alternative plans
Review
• How to prepare for a water contamination event
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify your cross-connections and assess the potential hazards
Compile and review safety data sheets to assess hazards
Determine if the appropriate backflow preventer is installed
Inspect, test and tag your backflow prevention assemblies
Determine how to isolate water service to each cross-connection
• What do you do if there is an internal water contamination event
•
•
•
Isolate the contaminate
Issue a “do not use” to occupants
Call DC Water 202-612-3400
• What do you do if DC Water issues an advisory in your area
•
•
•
Communicate the advisory to your occupants
Assess the need to isolate water to sensitive equipment and systems
Assess your water needs and make alternative plans
Questions?
•
DC Water 24-hour Emergency Hotline
202-612-3400
•
DC Water Drinking Water Branch
202-612-3440
drinkingwater@dcwater.com
http://www.dcwater.com/drinking_water/default.cfm
•
DC Water Cross Connection Control Program
202-364-3143
crossconnections@dcwater.com
http://www.dcwater.com/cc/default.cfm
Water Distribution
Operation and Maintenance
Critical Customers
David Wall – Manager of Water Distribution Control
Marlee Franzen – Manager of Water Distribution Maintenance
Operations and Maintenance
• General System Operations
• Maintaining the System
• Water Main Emergencies
• Capital Improvement Projects
2
General System Operations
What are our
responsibilities?
-
Oversee the coordination of
all valve and hydrant
operations for all activities on
the water distribution system.
What is our Objective?
-
Deliver an uninterrupted
water supply with adequate
pressure and flow for fire
protection and consumption.
40
General System Operations
What we will be doing in the next
12 months?
-
Flushing over 540 miles of mains
-
Performing over 20,000 valve
operations.
-
1,000 Fire Hydrant Flow Tests
-
Over 10,000 Fire Hydrant
maintenance activities
-
Responding to over 4,000 problems
reported on the water system.
41
General System Operations
What you might experience as a result of
all these activities?
-
Temporary reduction of pressure/flow.
-
Discolored Water
-
Temporary loss of service. (Typically, 6-12 hours)
42
Old Infrastructure = Emergencies
Repair 300-400
Water Main
Breaks a Year.
Valves, seals, pumps and
other parts also need to be
replaced.
43
Prioritization
44
Repairs and Improvements
• Minimize debris from
entering the main
• Disinfect the pipe
following the repair
• Data collection to help
target replacement
segments
• Redundancy
45
Capital Improvement Program
•
DC Water’s Goal: Renew 1% per year
•
Many water main candidates vying for selection
− 700 miles - unlined cast iron
− 300 miles - older than 100 years
− 50 miles - identified Water Quality concern areas
•
Identify water mains most in need of replacement
•
Utilize a customized AWWARF Deterioration Point
Assignment
•
Weighting & criteria based on DC Water high
priority initiatives and availability/accuracy of data
46
Customer Services
Critical Customers
Geneva Green
Call Center Supervisor
Contact DC Water
Call: (202) 612-3400 – 24 hours
We want to know:
What is occurring?
Where is the issue located?
Is the issue causing damage or injury?
What investigation has already been done by your property manager?
Who do you want to be our point of contact in repair/investigation and
contact information (phone, email)
An Investigation crew will be dispatched to the location for an assessment.
Additional investigation or repair work follows the assessment if required.
Click: http://www.dcwater.com/report_problem/default.cfm
Report A Problem:
Report an issue or request assistance by completing the Report A Problem
form on our website if you prefer not to call.
PLEASE – do not use this if the issue requires immediate attention
Information & Updates
Scheduled & Emergency Work:
Customers are notified at least 24 hours in advance of scheduled or planned
work.
Emergency work is the result of an unplanned issue requiring an immediate
repair.
Updates
Scheduled and Emergency work is posted on the website under the ‘In Your
Neighborhood’ section.
Customers can sign up for mobile text alerts when work is posted in a
selected zip code, and call the Command Center to receive the most current
information from crews on location.
Report a problem – for routine
maintenance requests
50
Workzone Alerts
http://www.dcwater.com/workzones/default.cfm
51
Emergency Preparedness
& Response
Critical Customers
Jonathan Reeves
Office of Emergency Management Manager
Questions & Comments
???
53
Critical Customer
Roundtable Discussion
Roundtable Discussion
Who: Critical Customers
What: Participate in a
facilitated informal
discussion
Why: To determine where
water emergency
planning improvement is
needed
How: Through honest, candid discussion of a fictitious
scenario
Roundtable Discussion Objectives
• Discuss expectations, roles, capabilities and limitations
of partner agencies in the event of a major water
emergency.
• Determine where water emergency planning
improvement is needed.
• Provide an opportunity for critical customers to engage
with service providers to create an effective and
efficient foundation for community resiliency.
• Discuss assistance available to increase preparedness
for and resilience to a reduction/loss of service.
Roundtable Structure
• Facilitator-led discussion
• Minimal simulation, no attempts to arrange
elaborate facilities or communications
• Informal and stress-free
• Success hinges on your participation and
feedback
• Next step discussion
Roundtable Rules
• Dialogue is encouraged within a
safe, open, stress-free
environment
• Respond based on your
knowledge
• One person talks at a time
• Don’t “fight” the scenario
Tuesday 8:45 AM
DC Water’s operational command center receives
an increase in calls from customers complaining
of low and no water pressure in the northwest
quadrant of the city.
Tuesday 12:45 PM
DC Water’s on-scene commander determines that
water must be completely shut off in order to
determine the extent of the problem.
Tuesday 5:00 PM
A DC Water spokesperson reports that crews are
working non-stop to identify the extent of the
problem that has caused the water outage in NW
D.C. DC Water officials do not have a definitive
answer on when service will be restored. An
onsite worker was quoted as saying “this could
last a couple more hours or a couple more days”.
Wednesday 8:45 AM
It has been determined that a one-of-a-kind
component of the distribution system, originally
installed in 1923, has failed. DC Water is in
contact with vendors and NCR WARN to locate a
suitable replacement. If a replacement cannot be
located, then the component will have to be
manufactured, which could take a week or more.
Thursday 12:00 PM
A suitable replacement has been located at
LADWP and is being flown to DC. The component
should be onsite late this evening. Once installed,
DC Water will begin reestablishing service to the
affected area.
Roundtable Discussion Objectives
• Discuss expectations, roles, capabilities and limitations
of partner agencies in the event of a major water
emergency.
• Determine where water emergency planning
improvement is needed.
• Provide an opportunity for critical customers to engage
with service providers to create an effective and
efficient foundation for community resiliency.
• Discuss assistance available to increase preparedness
for and resilience to a reduction/loss of service.
Next Steps
Discussion Items:
Please fill out your
Participant Feedback Form
Thank You!